2012 CUF Tour de France Contest

[Parrot Head]

This would probably be better suited for a general TdF thread, but I don't see that yet and don't know that I'm qualified to start such a thread, so I will post it here. Castelli shared this previous TdF photo on its FB page today and I think it's an awesome photo:

[Coach McGuirk]

That is cool.

Here is a vid from today's stage. A crowd photo guy steps into the race causing a crash,

[YOUTUBE]4Q-r1lZdy20&[/YOUTUBE]

[RC Vikings]

The last ten miles of these sprint stages are amazing. I love watching the constant shifting of the peloton and the ability to keep it upright in a large group like that.

[mtnbiker]

The last ten miles of these sprint stages are amazing. I love watching the constant shifting of the peloton and the ability to keep it upright in a large group like that.

Yeah, it's incredible how they manage to do that. Until some knucklehead tries to split a couple of riders without enough room and hooks handlebars. Who was it in the red kit that did that today? Did he get relegated, or did the race refs just say 'play on'?

Bad news for Coach and PAC's green jersey pics. JJ Rojas abandoned today after a crash.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Yeah, it's incredible how they manage to do that. Until some knucklehead tries to split a couple of riders without enough room and hooks handlebars. Who was it in the red kit that did that today? Did he get relegated, or did the race refs just say 'play on'?

Bad news for Coach and PAC's green jersey pics. JJ Rojas abandoned today after a crash.

Yeah, and yesterday, instead of being at the front of the peloton, positioning himself for the final sprint, Kittel was at the back vomiting due to a stomach problem. It was like watching one's nag moseying along fifty lengths behind the leader in the Kentucky Derby. No oatbag for you.

And like the rest of you, I marvel at how they position themselves and seem to move nimbly in the very crowded pack. Even if I could go that fast, I'd be freaking out by the proximity. Maybe Kittel had the right idea.

[mtnbiker]

I forgot to mention that I really like the overhead replays. One time I can watch one rider, another time I'll watch a different rider. It's crazy to see them weave in and out to position themselves.

[creekster]

Spoiler for too much info for today's stage.:

I am reading these posts and wonder if we were watching the same stage (Stage three?). Moving nimbly through the peloton? Other than the three crashes, resulting in two abandons (Have a nice tour Wiggo! so much for getting much help in the mountains), numerous injuries (and how are YOU feeling Tyler Farrar?) and several key mechanicals, and other than guys wildly missing turns, including one guy overshooting the final run to the line, and other than guys drifting all over the road in the last couple of kilometers (did you see cancellara get pushed wide left and then swing back right as he tried to hold Sagan's wheel?) and other than most of the riders looking as nervous as a hen in the fox house, if you see what I mean, I guess they looked pretty nimble.

I thought today looked like one of the most nervous days I can recall in the peloton.

OTOH, it was sort of like a blast from the past at times. With about 40 or 50k to go and the now four man break still out front, the camera bike gave a shot of the tip of the spear and there was Popo and Big George Hincapie shoulder to shoulder driving the pace. If you squinted it was almost like old times, except George forgot to wear the blue colored jersey. And then the drive was taken up by Basso. It felt familiar to see him there, but it was the wrong time. He was being super domestique instead of the star.

And Sagan; what can you say? So young and so good, giggling like the court jester as he crossed the line while winning by BIKE lengths! He was well positioned throughout and when he turned it on no one could hold his wheel. Give Cancellara credit, however; he wanted at least one more day in Yellow and he fought for it. His wild sprint up the hill to the line was not a thing of beauty, but in true Al Davis fashion, he just won, baby.

Speaking of weird looks, how odd was it to see Sylvan Chavanel breaking from the front of the group, trying to steal the win, wearing quickstep colors? A Frenchman riding for the Belgians? I am sure it makes both groups of countrymen feel a little weird to see it. But he rode with courage and gusto and looked great for as long as it lasted. But as with most French efforts in this race for the last 20 years or so, ultimately he proved nothing. Even so, I liked seeing him try. He added to what was a very exciting stage.

Enough of my ramblings. But I will say this: Cadel looked cool as a cuke today. Always in the right place; missing all the pile ups, right there at the end. Right now he looks very good. His bow is drawn but his arrow is not yet released.

[scottie]

I haven't been impressed by Scott Moninger's commentary at all -- bad analogies and not confident or articulate.

[PaloAltoCougar]

I am reading these posts and wonder if we were watching the same stage (Stage three?). Moving nimbly through the peloton? ...

I was speaking mainly of Stage Two; I haven't watched today's stage yet, and I saw you were heading toward some spoilers I stopped reading the rest of your post, for now...

BTW, my recording of yesterday's stage ended about five minutes from the finish.

[RC Vikings]

I am reading these posts and wonder if we were watching the same stage (Stage three?).

Not yet, I'll watch stage 3 tonight. I follow on velonews and already know the results so you didn't ruin anything for me. I was watching stage 2 last night and it was a thing of beauty to see the teams try and set up the sprint. It looks like more teams are aiming for sprint victories and it's making the run up pretty wild. Also those round-a-bouts look like they could really mess with a rider.

[creekster]

My apologies for the spoilers. I will make sure not to do that again. Btw, the NBC app is pretty good albeit overpriced. Also beware: watching a stage live really sucks down the cell data.

[bluegoose]

Does this mean that creekster is finally back in the cycling forum? You already owe us commentaries from prologue and stage 1 - I'd hate for you to get too far behind.

The sprint stages have really grown on me. I use to be a climbing stage snob, but now I love to watch the peleton dynamics as they reel in the breakaway and position their teams for the final push.

During yesterday's stage, Paul was talking about how long it took the pack to cover 200m toward the end. He said with that split they had to average 45 mph. 45 MPH!!! That would earn you a speeding in 95% of the streets in my home town. Crazy.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Stupid question, probably, but since it's pretty much a certainty that the peloton will overtake the lead group before the finish, is the only reason 3-6 cyclists jet out in the early going and work together to hold off the peloton as long as possible is because they want a couple hours of fame and to endear themselves to their sponsors?

[mtnbiker]

Stupid question, probably, but since it's pretty much a certainty that the peloton will overtake the lead group before the finish, is the only reason 3-6 cyclists jet out in the early going and work together to hold off the peloton as long as possible is because they want a couple hours of fame and to endear themselves to their sponsors?

Yup, pretty much. Once in a while the peloton gets bored or miscalculates and the breakaway wins.

[mtnbiker]

I haven't been impressed by Scott Moninger's commentary at all -- bad analogies and not confident or articulate.

Is that who is in the right-side chair? I haven't watched the beginning of the show when the intros are done, so I wondered who he was. Very dry and uninspiring. And who is the guy on the left? They've stuck poor Bobke with crummy co-anchors. But Bobke is such a nut that he's fun to listen to.

re: Cavendish's stage 2 win, it was cool to see him go from wheel to wheel and get the win, even though none of his team is helping on the sprints. Reminded me of watching Robbie McEwen in past years. Quite a difference from the last couple of years, when he could steam along behind the train. I can tell he's not happy with the situation, but the team is dedicated to Wiggins. That's partly why I left him off my green jersey list. We'll see if that was a good strategy or not.